Republic of the Philippines

SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY

ACCESS. E.J.C. Montilla, Tacurong City

College of Health Sciences

MEDICAL HANDWASHING STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE

Handwashing is, without a doubt, the most effective way to help prevent the
spread of organisms. It is the most important procedure in preventing nosocomial or
hospital-acquired infections. Effective handwashing requires at least a 10-second
vigorous washing with plain soap or disinfectant and water. Hands that are visibly
soiled need longer wash or a repetition of the procedure.

Equipment needed:
1. Liquid or bar soap 4. Sink with running water
2. Towel (paper/cloth) 5. Trash can
3. Lotion (optional)

STEPS/ PROCEDURES RATIONALE

1. Checks for completeness of For readiness and efficiency.
supply.
2. Stands in front of sink with the The sink is considered
uniform NOT touching the sink. contaminated. Uniforms may carry
organisms from place to place.
3. Remove watch and hand Removal of jewelry facilitates proper
jewelry cleansing. Microorganisms
accumulate in the settings of
jewelry.
4. Turns on the water and adjust Water splashed from the
its force. contaminated sink will
contaminate your uniform.
5. Wets the hands from the wrist
area with fingers pointing to the Water should flow from the cleaner
bottom of the sink. area toward the more
contaminated area. Hands are
more contaminated than forearms.
6. With the bar or liquid soap, Rinsing the soap first removes the
lather hands thoroughly. lather that may contain
microorganisms.

7. Washes hands for 10 to 30 Friction caused by firm rubbing

seconds with firm rubbing circular motion helps loosen dirt
and circular motions following and organisms that can lodge
the correct sequence: between fingers in skin crevices of
a. Rubs palms together (palm knuckles, on palms, and backs of
to palm) hands, as well as the wrists and
b. Rub back of both hand forearms.
(back to back hand)
 c. Interlace fingers and rub
hand together.

d. Interlock the fingers and rub

the back of the fingers of
both hands Friction caused by firm rubbing
circular motion helps loosen dirt
e. Rub thumb in a rotating and organisms that can lodge
manner followed by the area between fingers in skin crevices of
between the index finger and knuckles, on palms, and backs of
thumb for both hands hands, as well as the wrists and
forearms.

f. Rub finger tips on palm of the

hands

g. Rub both wrists in a rotating

manner.
8. Rinse soap thoroughly Running water rinses organisms
and inspects for remaining and dirt into the sink.
dirt or soap.

9. Turns off the faucet with the This prevents the nurse’s cleaned
use of paper towel or foot pedal hands to be contaminated by
if available. the faucet handle.

10. Dries hands and wrists with Drying the skin well prevents
hand towel. Use lotion on chapping. Lotion helps to keep the
hands, if desired. skin soft and moisturized.

Source from: Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO)
 Republic of the Philippines
SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY
ACCESS. E.J.C. Montilla, Tacurong City

College of Health Sciences

PERFORMANCE CHECKLIST
ON MEDICAL
HANDWASHING

Name: Year Level: _

Inclusive Date:

Direction: In using the checklist, please use the following rating scale in determining
the performance of the student.
5 Excellent: Student performs the procedure correctly, and perfectly.
Student states the rationale correctly and completely. Student is able to
answer questions accurately.
4 Very Satisfactory: Student performs the procedure correctly. Student
states the rationale correctly but incompletely. Student is able to answer
questions.
3 Satisfactory: Student performs the procedure correctly but failed to
states the rationale. Student is able to answer questions when cued.
2 Fair: Student performs the procedure when cued. Student fail to states the
rationale. Student is able to answer questions when cued.
1 Poor: Student fails to perform the procedure correctly even when
cued. Student does not know the rationale.

Handwashing is, without a doubt, the most effective way to help prevent the
spread of organisms. It is the most important procedure in preventing nosocomial or
hospital-acquired infections. Effective handwashing requires at least a 10-second
vigorous washing with plain soap or disinfectant and water. Hands that are visibly
soiled need longer wash or a repetition of the procedure.

Equipment needed:
1. Liquid or bar soap 4. Sink with running water
2. Towel (paper/cloth) 5. Trash can
3. Lotion (optional)

ENCIRCLE RATING
STEPS/ PROCEDURES E VG G F P
1. Checks for completeness of supply. 5 4 3 2 1
2. Stands in front of sink with the uniform NOT touching the sink. 5 4 3 2 1
3. Remove watch and hand jewelry 5 4 3 2 1
4. Turns on the water and adjust its force. 5 4 3 2 1
5. Wets the hands from the wrist area with fingers pointing to the 5 4 3 2 1
bottom of the sink.
6. With the bar or liquid soap, lather hands thoroughly. 5 4 3 2 1
7. Washes hands for 10 to 30 seconds with firm rubbing 5 4 3 2 1
and circular motions following the correct sequence:
a. Rubs palms together (palm to palm)
b. Rub back of both hand (back to back hand) 5 4 3 2 1
c. Interlace fingers and rub hand together. 5 4 3 2 1
 d. Interlock fingers and rub the back of the fingers of both hands 5 4 3 2 1
e. Rub thumb in a rotating manner followed by the area between 5 4 3 2 1
the index finger and thumb for both hands
f. Rub finger tips on palm of the hands 5 4 3 2 1
g. Rub both wrists in a rotating manner. 5 4 3 2 1
8. Rinse soap thoroughly and inspects for remaining dirt or soap. 5 4 3 2 1
9. Turns off the faucet with the use of paper towel or foot pedal if 5 4 3 2 1
available.
10. Dries hands and wrists with hand towel. Use lotion on hands, 5 4 3 2 1
if desired.
SKILLS AND ATTITUDE RATING (For Clinical Instructor only…)
11. Manifests body mechanics throughout the performance of the 5 4 3 2 1
procedures.
12. Receptive to criticisms and observes courtesy. 5 4 3 2 1
13. Shows calmness while performing the procedure. 5 4 3 2 1
14. Uses correct English and shows mastery of the procedure. 5 4 3 2 1
Sub-Total =
Total Score:
RD Grade: _

Instructors’ Remarks:
_
_ _
_

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Signature over Printed Name of Clinical Instructor